This blog provides glimpses of our lives, my thoughts and feelings. This past week I have been struggling with what to write about for two reasons. The first ,quite honestly, is my brain is spinning in a million and one different directions, none of which are of an interesting enough nature to bore you, my friends, with. Indeed, this is average every day life stuff: party planning, book club reading, trip planning, house cleaning, kid raising, BBQ attending, pool splashing, every day, summer life stuff.
The second reason is a bit more involved, and to be honest controversial. And though I am no stranger to controversy on this blog, in general I try to stick to our lives and the things that are going on within me. But no matter how many hours I have stared at this computer screen this week (and it has been MANY) trying to write something, anything, other than this topic, nothing has come. I feel like Jonah and writer's block has been my belly of the big, stinky fish. What could possibly be so daunting that you would rather sit in the fish's belly than to write about it?, you may ask. What topic could possibly have you tied up in so many knots?, you inquire. Well, I'll tell you but first I am going to give you a bit of background on me.
I have shared on this blog that my husband and I met at Bible school. My whole life had been spent within the ministry. By the time I went to Bible school there were very few ministries within the church that I was not intimately familiar with. I am 35 years old and I am blessed to have known Jesus as my personal savior for more than 30 of those years. I know some of you will dispute that but I very clearly remember making the decision to follow Christ and my life since that point has been dedicated to doing just that. That is not to say that I have not walked through hard times in my faith, that is not to say it has always been easy, that is not to say that there haven't been times where I have been so angry at God that I wished, for a moment, I could just walk away. But once you have tasted the all encompassing grace and love of God there is just no going back.
I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in the church. I have seen the extremes. I have been discipled by great men and women of God. I have been hurt deeply by others ,claiming to be women and men of God, who used their influence to lead people astray. A friend of mine says she has an unreasonable love for the church because only an unreasonable love could withstand all that she has seen. I can't say it any better myself, so I will steal her quote: I have an unreasonable love for the church. Because of all I have seen and experienced, within my Christian walk, I also have a deep love for sound doctrine. I believe the Bible, ALL OF IT, is the inspired, infallible Word of God. Though I ,by no means, claim a full and complete understanding of it, I do believe that best way to deepen your relationship and understanding of God , is by reading and studying what He has to say. And this leads me to the topic of the day.
I am very concerned, actually beyond concerned, by a trend that is prevalent within Christians today. This is not a commentary on any one particular church. There are many sound Biblically sound churches out there. This refers to the over arching Church. The Big C church if you will.
II Timothy 4:3 says this "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;but wanting to have their ears tickled they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." NASB
Over that past few weeks, my heart has been broken. I have had several discussions in which people refuted Scripture using the words of their favorite author or speaker. When asked to back up their stance Biblically, I am again given more pop theology with no Biblical reference. I have been told flat out that we don't need to know doctrine or even to know the Scripture because the love of Christ is ALL that matters. Let me be clear right here and now. Christ love, mercy and grace are the lynch pins of my soul. They have saved my soul, surrounded me as the storms of life beat against me. God's love is deeper than I can comprehend or imagine. I am NOTHING save for the grace of God.
That being said it is imperative as Christian's that we know Scripture. The God of the entire universe, the God beyond time, The Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth, took the time to give us His inspired words on everything from how the earth came into being to how we should discipline our children. Any question that we have about our lives is answered between Genesis and Revelation. The Bible is more than a book. It is the Word of God. It will speak to you where you are at. It will bring peace, healing, understanding, and yes, even conviction.
Hebrews 4:12 says " For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart." NIV
The scripture is also called the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17). A sword is a weapon that takes training and practice to learn to use. You don't go to sleep one night having never used a sword but thinking "Hmm I think I would like to be a master swordsman" and wake up the next day ready to cross swords with The Dread Pirate Roberts (sorry a nod to the Princess Bride was inevitable at some point of the blog...I can promise there will be others;) The same is true of Scripture. We have to take the time to study it, to meditate on it, to memorize it. The Word of God is referred to as a fire in the bones (Jeremiah 20:9), a seed (Mathew 13:3-8), and a mirror (James 1:22-25)....and these are just a few of the references to the way Scripture interacts with our daily lives!!
I want to close with one of my favorite passages of Scripture.
Isaiah 55:10-11
For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower
and bread to the eater,
So Shall My Word that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void
But it shall accomplish what I please,
and it shall prosper the thing for which I sent it
Dear friends, it is not my intention to use this blog to be preachy or be judgmental but this has been burning like a fire within me for weeks. You don't have to agree with my interpretation of scripture but PLEASE find out for yourself why you don't. Dig into the word. Five minute devotionals, the book from your favorite Christian author or that quote from your favorite speaker can not replace the deepening of your relationship with God by studying His Words for yourself!!! This is my prayer for all of us. This is my hearts cry. Thanks for reading through. I love each and everyone of you.-Kristine
The second reason is a bit more involved, and to be honest controversial. And though I am no stranger to controversy on this blog, in general I try to stick to our lives and the things that are going on within me. But no matter how many hours I have stared at this computer screen this week (and it has been MANY) trying to write something, anything, other than this topic, nothing has come. I feel like Jonah and writer's block has been my belly of the big, stinky fish. What could possibly be so daunting that you would rather sit in the fish's belly than to write about it?, you may ask. What topic could possibly have you tied up in so many knots?, you inquire. Well, I'll tell you but first I am going to give you a bit of background on me.
I have shared on this blog that my husband and I met at Bible school. My whole life had been spent within the ministry. By the time I went to Bible school there were very few ministries within the church that I was not intimately familiar with. I am 35 years old and I am blessed to have known Jesus as my personal savior for more than 30 of those years. I know some of you will dispute that but I very clearly remember making the decision to follow Christ and my life since that point has been dedicated to doing just that. That is not to say that I have not walked through hard times in my faith, that is not to say it has always been easy, that is not to say that there haven't been times where I have been so angry at God that I wished, for a moment, I could just walk away. But once you have tasted the all encompassing grace and love of God there is just no going back.
I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in the church. I have seen the extremes. I have been discipled by great men and women of God. I have been hurt deeply by others ,claiming to be women and men of God, who used their influence to lead people astray. A friend of mine says she has an unreasonable love for the church because only an unreasonable love could withstand all that she has seen. I can't say it any better myself, so I will steal her quote: I have an unreasonable love for the church. Because of all I have seen and experienced, within my Christian walk, I also have a deep love for sound doctrine. I believe the Bible, ALL OF IT, is the inspired, infallible Word of God. Though I ,by no means, claim a full and complete understanding of it, I do believe that best way to deepen your relationship and understanding of God , is by reading and studying what He has to say. And this leads me to the topic of the day.
I am very concerned, actually beyond concerned, by a trend that is prevalent within Christians today. This is not a commentary on any one particular church. There are many sound Biblically sound churches out there. This refers to the over arching Church. The Big C church if you will.
II Timothy 4:3 says this "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;but wanting to have their ears tickled they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." NASB
Over that past few weeks, my heart has been broken. I have had several discussions in which people refuted Scripture using the words of their favorite author or speaker. When asked to back up their stance Biblically, I am again given more pop theology with no Biblical reference. I have been told flat out that we don't need to know doctrine or even to know the Scripture because the love of Christ is ALL that matters. Let me be clear right here and now. Christ love, mercy and grace are the lynch pins of my soul. They have saved my soul, surrounded me as the storms of life beat against me. God's love is deeper than I can comprehend or imagine. I am NOTHING save for the grace of God.
That being said it is imperative as Christian's that we know Scripture. The God of the entire universe, the God beyond time, The Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth, took the time to give us His inspired words on everything from how the earth came into being to how we should discipline our children. Any question that we have about our lives is answered between Genesis and Revelation. The Bible is more than a book. It is the Word of God. It will speak to you where you are at. It will bring peace, healing, understanding, and yes, even conviction.
Hebrews 4:12 says " For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart." NIV
The scripture is also called the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17). A sword is a weapon that takes training and practice to learn to use. You don't go to sleep one night having never used a sword but thinking "Hmm I think I would like to be a master swordsman" and wake up the next day ready to cross swords with The Dread Pirate Roberts (sorry a nod to the Princess Bride was inevitable at some point of the blog...I can promise there will be others;) The same is true of Scripture. We have to take the time to study it, to meditate on it, to memorize it. The Word of God is referred to as a fire in the bones (Jeremiah 20:9), a seed (Mathew 13:3-8), and a mirror (James 1:22-25)....and these are just a few of the references to the way Scripture interacts with our daily lives!!
I want to close with one of my favorite passages of Scripture.
Isaiah 55:10-11
For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower
and bread to the eater,
So Shall My Word that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void
But it shall accomplish what I please,
and it shall prosper the thing for which I sent it
Dear friends, it is not my intention to use this blog to be preachy or be judgmental but this has been burning like a fire within me for weeks. You don't have to agree with my interpretation of scripture but PLEASE find out for yourself why you don't. Dig into the word. Five minute devotionals, the book from your favorite Christian author or that quote from your favorite speaker can not replace the deepening of your relationship with God by studying His Words for yourself!!! This is my prayer for all of us. This is my hearts cry. Thanks for reading through. I love each and everyone of you.-Kristine
1 comment:
Thanks Donna:)
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